Cong using Vande Mataram as 'Hindu card': UP minister

Varanasi, Sep 5 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh Urban Development Minister Mohd Azam Khan today alleged the Congress was using ''Vande Mataram'' as a ''Hindu card'' by igniting the controversy of its recitation on September 7.

''The Congress has always used the Muslims as a pack of playing cards to further its political interest, be it during the Shah Bano case, opening of locks at the disputed structure in Ayodhya or in case of quashing of minority status of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) by the Allahabad High Court,'' Mr Khan said while interacting with newspersons here at the house of Bharat Ratna Bismillah Khan.

The entire debate on the national song has been ignited by the Congress only with the motive of using Vande Mataram as a ''Hindu card'' to divide the two communities, he added.

''There can never be any debate on any of the patriotic songs, Vande Mataram, the national anthem or Iqbal's Sare Jahan Se Acchaa,'' Mr Khan said, adding those creating a controversy over the issue were not ''friends of Muslims.'' ''Vande Mataram astha ka prashna hai jis par bahas nahi honi chahiye,'' the minister said.

Mr Khan hitting out further against the Congress said the true character of the national party per se Muslims came to the fore during the AMU case in the High Court, where the UPA government at the centre was not even aware of date of hearings of the case.

''I even wrote many letters to the Centre over the crucial case but to no response,''he added.

''This is why the High Court quashed the minority character of AMU in January and only after the proactive approach of the university administration, the petitions challenging the verdict were filed by both varsity and Centre in the Supreme Court, which while admitting the petitions on April 24 last, ordered status quo on minority status of the university be maintained,'' Mr Khan added.

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